Turkey Arrests Egyptian Family ‘En Route’ to Join Islamic State

JAFFA, Israel – Turkey arrested 12 Egyptian citizens near the border with Syria this week, on suspicion of planning to cross the border and join the Islamic State.

Among the 12, who are apparently all members of one family, were three small children. The Egyptian Foreign Ministry confirmed the report and said that the Egyptian consulate in Istanbul is following the case.

A Turkish court is set to decid later today whether the family will remain in custody or be deported.

The Egyptian government reiterated its ban on traveling to conflict areas on penalty of arrest in Egypt or elsewhere.